FREDERICK, Md. - Shenandoah University continued its most successful softball season in the past 12 years with a non-league doubleheader split at Hood College Wednesday afternoon.

Shenandoah (15-26) was a 7-3 winner in game one before the Blazers (19-13) came back to win the nightcap 6-4.

The Hornets broke open a 2-2 opening contest with two runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth off of HC starter Jamie Gardner. Freshman Ashley Ballentine, who finished the game 3-for-4, gave SU a 2-0 lead when she hit a solo home run in the second. 

Ballentine's first-ever blast came on the heels of an RBI single by Catherine Beuerle in the first. She plated Kristin Windle , who had doubled to left with one out.

Jessica Bollinger and Erin Donovan had RBI's in the fourth with Katie Haskins and Windle driving in runs in the three-run sixth.

Sophomore Tana Bartek (6-11) went the distance in the win. She struck out five against three runs on six hits and one walk before giving way to Catelyn Renninger for the seventh. Renninger allowed one hit but only faced the minimum three batters as the Hornets turned their 15th double play of the year.

Hood scored one run in the first and three in the third to take a game two lead they would not relinquish. SU attempted to get back in it with three runs on three hits in the sixth, but the Blazers got one in the bottom of the frame before retiring the Hornets in order in the seventh.

Beuerle and Bollinger both homered in that sixth inning - Beuerle led things off with a shot to center before Bollinger matched her three batters later.

Renninger (0-1) was the loser after allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits in 2.2 innings. Haskins, who was a combined 3-for-8 at the plate in the doubleheader, pitched the final 3.1 innings.

Bollinger finished game two 2-for-3 with the HR; she also had two hits in game one.

Box Scores/Plays by Play 

Coach Marlena Kotynski's club finishes its 2006 season next Tuesday with a non-league doubleheader at Bridgewater.